40mm Dardo
40mm Compatto | Twin 40L70
Overview
40mm Compatto
A South Korean 40mm Compatto naval gun turret seen firing during an exercise.
Source: Republic of Korea Armed Forces -
© Public domain
Naval gun
South Korea
Description
Introduction
The 40mm Compatto is a late Cold War era naval gun of Italian origin. When combined with the Dardo fire control system it also acts as a close-in weapon system for defense against inbound anti-ship missiles. The Compatto was intended as secondary armament for frigates and destroyers and as multipurpose armament for missile boats and auxiliary vessels.
Design
The Compatto is a further development of earlier Breda 40mm Bofors L/70 naval gun mounts, in particular the twin barrel Type 64 with its automated loading system. By removing all local fire control, adding a lightweight dome housing and having the ammunition stowage partially below deck are more compact mount could be developed. The two 40mm autocannon are located side by side and are connected to a linkless feed system. Sensors and fire control systems are located elsewhere on the vessel.
Firepower
The 40mm Compatto fires PFHE and HE-T ammunition. Depending on the size of the below deck magazine the total ammunition is 736 or 444 rounds. Cyclic rate of fire of both guns combined is 600 rpm. Practical effective range is 6 km against larger surface vessel and up to 4 km against aerial targets.
Fire control
External fire control is required for the 40mm Compatto. There is no local fire control, except on the Single Fast Forty variant. External fire control may include an optronic director or fire control radar. When the Dardo fire control system is present sea skimming anti-ship missiles can be engaged. A commonly used sensor suite is RTN-10X fire control radar. The Dardo system is most often used with the more capable RTN-20X fire control radar.
Users
The 40mm Compatto is used on a wide range of frigates, destroyers, missile boats and auxiliary vessels. It was acquired by Italy and about 20 other nations. Sales of the Fast Forty and Single Fast Forty have been very limited.
Variants
40mm Compatto
Original twin 40mm Breda compact naval mount. Combined cyclic rate of fire is 600 rpm. Produced in Type A and Type B configuration with 736 and 444 rounds respectively.
40mm Fast Forty
The Fast Forty is an updated twin gun Compatto mount. It looks very similar, but has a slightly different shape turret dome due to the additional magazines for APFSDS ammunition. Combined cyclic rate of fire has been increased 900 rpm. This system is described in a separate article.
Details
Media
40mm Compact
Side view of 40mm Compact gun turret.
Source: www.patrullerasargentinas.blogspot.nl
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
40mm Compatto
A South Korean 40mm Compatto naval gun turret seen firing during an exercise.
Source: Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Copyright: Public domain
40mm Compatto
A South Korean 40mm Compatto naval gun turret seen firing during an exercise.
Source: Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Copyright: Public domain
40mm Compact
Forward view of 40mm Compact gun turret.
Source: Edozio
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
40mm Compact
Forward view of 40mm Compact gun turret.
Source: OTO Melara
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
40mm Compact
Rear view of 40mm Compact gun turret.
Source: www.seaforces.org
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
40mm Compatto and Fast Forty
Line diagrams showing the dimensions of the 40mm Compatto (top) and Fast Forty (bottom). Note the difference in turret shape.
Source: OTO Melara
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
40mm Fast Forty
The Fast Forty and Single Fast Forty are further developments of the 40mm Compatto / Dardo system.
76mm Compatto
The 40mm Compatto uses a turret shape quite similar to the larger caliber 76mm Compatto naval gun.